Gotihawa is a village a few kilometres south-west of Taulihawa. At its edge, a large circular brick stupa rises from the fields, and next to it stands the lower part of an Ashoka pillar, broken off near ground level. Unlike Lumbini and Niglihawa, no inscription survives here, but the Mauryan polish on the stone confirms its age.
Buddhist tradition, recorded by the Chinese pilgrims Faxian and Xuanzang, places the birthplace of Krakuchchanda Buddha near Kapilavastu, and many scholars connect that account to Gotihawa. Some also suggest that the fragments now at Niglihawa once stood on this base. Your guide explains both ideas and the evidence behind them.
Pilgrims typically circle the stupa and pause at the pillar stump. The visit takes about 40 minutes and is usually combined with Kudan, which lies on the same road. There are no facilities, so carry water and visit in the cooler morning hours outside winter.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Seniors
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
Who was Krakuchchanda Buddha?
Krakuchchanda, also called Kakusandha, is one of the Buddhas who, according to Buddhist tradition, lived in earlier ages before Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. Chinese pilgrims described his birthplace near Kapilavastu, and Gotihawa is one of the sites identified with it.
Is there an inscription at Gotihawa?
No inscription survives on the Gotihawa pillar, which is broken close to the ground. Its identification rests on the polished Mauryan stone, the large stupa beside it and descriptions left by Chinese pilgrims. It may be the original base of the inscribed pillar fragments at Niglihawa.
How far is Gotihawa from Kudan?
Only a few kilometres; both lie on village roads south of Taulihawa, and the drive between them takes 10–15 minutes. Most pilgrims visit Kudan and Gotihawa together in about 1.5 hours before heading north to Tilaurakot.
